Lid clamp for containers



Feb. 21, 1933. G 1 sol- 1,898,934

LID CLAMP FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 6, 1932 INVENTOR WITNESSES ew ge [5072272607,

Patented Feb. 21, 1933 FFWE GEORGE I. BOHMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LID CLAMP FOR CONTAINERS Application filed April 6,

I This invention relates to lid clamps for.

15 provide a lid clamp for garbage containers and the like wherein a supporting bracket is provided adapted to be connected to the container and carrying a rotating and reciproeating rod secured to or merging into the clamping handle, the rod and bracket being connected by a spring which acts to clamp the arm against the lid on the container when in one position, and acts to hold the arm against the side of the container when in a second position.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation showing a well known construction of container used for ashes, garbage, and the like, and a lid clamp embodying the invention applied thereto, the lid clamp being shown in side elevation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through part of the container and part of the lid clamp illustrated in Fig ure 1.

' Figure 3 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1 with the lid removed,

40 the view illustrating how the clamping arm rests against theside of the container when not in use. I

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, 1 indicates a container, as, for

instance, a garbage can or ash can, the same being of a well known construction, having a metal reenforcing band at the bottom and a similar ring 3 at the top which is held in place by the rivets 4. A lid 5 is also shown in Fig- 5 ure 1, the same being old and well known,

1932. Serial No. 603,588.

and provided with a downwardly extending flange 6 which slides over the ring 3.

In many places, as, for instance, in New York city, it is against police regulations to placed on the street or outdoors ready to be emptied. In many instances, the lid is removed atter having been properly placed on the container, as, for instance, by mischievous children, by the wind, or under some circum- L stances, by dogs. Regardlessof how the lid is removed the law in some places states they must remain in place, and if an otficial finds the lid removed, it makes the owner of the dition in respect to large apartment houses, and elsewhere, the present invention has been produced and constructed to positively hold the lid in place unless removed by someone sufliciently strong to manipulate the lid 9 clamp.

As shown in Figure 1, the arm 7 presses against the upper part of the lid 5 and holds the same against accidental removal or relined. This arm may be integral, as shown, or may be separate and rigidly secured to the vertical rod 8 which extends loosely through apertured sections 9 and 10 of the 'course, evident that if desired the ring 3 could be countersunk to take care of the head of the bolt without departing from the be secured in place in other ways also without departing from the spirit of the inven tion.

As shown in Figure 1, the extension 13 is slipped in between the ring 3 on the body of leave garbage cans or containers open when 5.

container liable to arrest. To avoid this con- 95 moval from the various causes above outbracket 11. The bracket 11 is not only pro- :3

spirit of the invention. The extension 13 may 9.

the container, and then the bolt 15 is applied. Suitable holes are provided by drilling or punching or otherwise, in the desired point in the container 1 for the reception of 5 the res ctive bolts 16.

As s own particularly in Figure 2, rod 8 between the sections 9 and 10 is surrounded with a spring 17 having an end 18 fitted into the aperture 19 in section 9, while the end 20 is fitted into the aperture 21 in the ring or abutment 22, which is secured rigidly to the rod 8 by any desired means, as,vfor instance, by a pin 23. 7

When the device is functioning fully, the 15 parts assume the position shown in. Figure 1, and in this position, the curved portion 2a of the arm7presses against the top of the cover 5 through the action of spring 17 and associated parts. This will resiliently lock the cover 5 in place. When it is desired to re move the cover 5, arm 7 is swung to one side and as soon as it is free of the cover 5, it will automatically move downwardly'under the action of springl'i' until it assumes the dotted position shown in Figurel, andthe position shown in Figure 3. The spring 17 'is slightly wound so that it gives a continuous tendency to the rod 8 to rotate, and, consequently, resiliently presses the arm7 against the side of the container below the upper edge, whereby the arm is out of the way, but is in a position to be used at any time. When the lid is to be placed on the container, arm 7 is swung outwardly a short distanceand'the lid deposited into its proper place, after which the arm 7 is pulled upwardly and then, swung around to the position shown in Figure 1.

I claim: 1. A'lid clam for containers comprising a 40 bracket adapte to be connected to the container at spaced points, said bracket having s aced aligned apertures, a rod extending t rough said aligned apertures pivotally supported by the bracket, an arm carried by said rod at one end. said bracket being positioned with the upper end below the upper edge of said container so that the arm may swing over'the cover when in an operative position and when in an inoperative position lowered and swung against the side of the container, and means acting on the brackat and arm for causing the arm to lock the cover on the container when in an operative position and pressed against the side of the container when in an inoperative position.

2. A lid clamp for containers comprising aibracket adapted to be connected to the container, a rotatable arm carried by the bracket adapted at one time to be arranged along the side of the container, and at another time to extend over the lid of the container, and spring means connected at one end to the bracket and at the other end to the arm for forcing the arm at .one time to press against the lid axially of the container and press the lid against the container and at another time to press against the side of the container transversely of the container.

3. A container lid clamp including a substantially Ushaped bracket having a pair of aligned apertures, a rod rotatably mounted in said apertures, a lid clamping arm carried by said rod, and double-acting spring means acting when in one position on the rod and bracket for causing said arm to press against said lid axially of the container and when in a second position to swing said arm laterally against the side of the container.

4. The combination of a container provided with a lid of means for clam ing the lid on the container, said means inc udmg a bracket secured at its respective ends to the container, said bracket being provided with a a pair of aligned apertures, a rod rotatably mounted insaid apertures, a lid clampingv arm carried by said rod at the upper end, said arm being swingable with the rod so as to rest on top of the said lid in one position and to be on one side of the lid in a second position, and a double-acting spring acting on said rod and said bracket for causing said arm when in one position to press against said lid, and when in a second position to act l on said rod and arm to cause the arm and rod to be lowered and the arm positioned and swung laterally to pressagainst the sides of the container.

5. A lid clamp for containers comprising a substantially U-shaped bracket, meanslfor connecting the respective ends of the bracket to the sides of the container, the upper ends of the bracket spaced below the top of the container, said bracket having a pair of aligned apertures,'a rod slidiugly and rotatably mounted in said apertures and positioncd to extend parallel to the sides of the container, a springsurrounding said rod having one end connected to the rod and the other connected to the bracket whereby the spring will give the rod a tendeucyto move downwardly and also to swing laterally, and an arm carried by the upper end of said rod positioned to press against the lid of the con- .tainer and cause the same to press against the top of the containerwhen the arm is in funetionin g position, said arm and rod being swingable laterally manually and then movable downwardly by said spring, said s ring r acting to exert a torque on said rod an arm for causing said arm in its lowered position to press against the side of the container. a

GEORGE I. BOHMAN. 

